Surprise chance device



Feb. 16, 1965 B. c. MEYER ETAL 3,169,770

SURPRISE CHANCE DEVICE Filed June 9. 1961 IN VEN TORS: C M ELY ER STAN United States Patent 3,169,770 SURPRISE CHANCE DEVICE Burton C. Meyer and Henry Stan, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Marvin I. Giass, Chicago, Ill. Filed June 9, 1961, Ser. No. 116,026 Claims. (Cl. 273-138) The invention relates generally to peg games in which a peg is inserted into a game board according to the play of a game, as for instance, by the play of a spinner, or by the throw of a die. More particularly, the invention relates to a random-operation device for use in peg games in which it is desired to project an element, such as an object or indicator, outwardly of the game board as a result of the insertion of a peg in an opening associated with the projectable element.

Various arrangements have been employed to make peg games more interesting and stimulating to the players. Such arrangements have included the use of special instructions which are associated with a particular hole or opening and which, when a peg is reposed in the hole at the end of a play, affects the further play of the game. For instance, such instructions might require that the player move back a certain number of holes or spaces, or that the player take an extra turn or lose a turn. In some games, the game board is arranged to cause projection out of the board of an indicator as an incident to insertion of a peg into a particular hole. This action feature adds enjoyment to the game by reason of the resulting visual activity. However, apart from the anticipation of random placement of pegs in particular holes as a result of the play of a spinner, the throw of a die, or otherwise, such prior action features have not added to the suspense of the game, or realized their full potential for increasing the enjoyment of the game, as each insertion of a peg into the associated hole always resulted in operation of the action feature.

The invention disclosed herein has for its principal object the provision of a simple and inexpensive mechanism for randomly controlling the operation of an action feature which can be associated with a peg game. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings of one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one peg game incorporating various of the features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 33 of FIGURE 2 with the components of the random operation mechanism shown in a position in which operation of the associated action feature will not occur; and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 3 with the components of the random operation mechanism shown in a position for causing operation of the action feature.

Basically, a peg game in accordance with the invention embodies a game board 21 including a playing face 23 having therein a series of openings or holes 25 which are each adapted to receive a peg 27 in accordance with the play of the game. Associated with at least one of the openings, as for instance the openings 25a, is an action feature device 29 which is operable by a random operation mechanism or means 31 engageable by the peg 27 when inserted into the associated opening 25a. Action features of various kinds can 'be employed. One such feature shown best in FIGURE 2, includes an element 33 which forms a part of the device 29 and serves as an indicator or marker which can be projected by the mechanism 31 from a generally concealed position into projecting relation to the playing face 23.

Various types of game boards having various different playing faces can be used. For instance, the game board can be fabricated of plastic, cardboard, or other suitable material, and can be constructed in any suitable manner to provide a void or chamber 35 beneath the playing face 23 in which the random operation mechanism 31 can be located in position for engagement by a peg inserted into the associated opening in the playing face.

The playing face can have portrayed thereon, in connection with the openings therein, games of many difierent arrangements. For instance, the openings can be arranged to provide a path, or a number of parallel paths, along which pegs are moved in accordance with the play of a spinner, the throw of a die, or other arrangements. Alternately, a series of unrelated openings can be provided, which openings are adapted for receiving pegs in accordance with the occurrence of some happening. Suitable art work can be applied to the playing face to complement the general theme of the game.

In the game shown in FIGURE 1, the theme of the game is a trip through a haunted house. In order to stimulate increased interest in the game, certain action features are included. For instance, when a peg is inserted in the opening 25b, an adjacent door 37 is randomly caused to open. Portrayed under the door, in position to be viewed when the door is opened, could be a skeleton, ghost, or other representation calculated to lend interest to the game. When a peg is inserted into the opening 25c, an element is randomly projecting out of the playing face, which element carries a suitable message, as for instance, Lose 1 Turn, or simply Beware. If desired, the element could carry a message directing the player to move ahead a given number of holes to the hole 25a, which hole has associated therewith the element 33. The element 33 could bear any inscription. One typical inscription being Start at the Beginning. Alternately, if desired, the element can be fashioned to resemble an animal, figure, or the like.

Other action features can also be associated with other openings as desired. For example, means for producing a noise feature or sound-effect is included in association with hole 25d. In this connection, sounding means in the form of a bell 39 is mounted on the playing face 23 and a striker element (not shown) similar in construction to the element 33, is mounted for random projection through the playing face to strike the bell, thereby producing a ringing sound. Still other arrangements can be employed. The random occurrence of the action feature, be it the movement of an element into projecting relation to the playing face, or the production of a sound effect, provides suspenseful interest and greater attractiveness to the game.

Various kinds of pegs can be utilized. The peg 27, shown in FIGURE 2, includes an enlarged head portion 41 and a shank or stem 43 of reduced diameter, thereby providing a shoulder which limits inward travel of the peg through the playing face.

The movable element, such as the element 33, can be mounted on the game board in various ways for movement to a position in which at least a part of the element is in projecting relation to the playing face. In the disclosed construction, the element includes a cross shaft 45 which is located intermediate the ends of the element and which is pivotally mounted in a pair of brackets 47 supported by the game board. The element 33 is formed so that depression of one end 49 causes the element, as a whole, to pivot relative to the game board, thereby extending the other end 51 into projecting relation to the playing face.

In the case of a movable element such as the door 37, the door can be pivoted generally adjacent to the exposed surface of the playing face of the game board, having a tab or car which passes through the playing face and which is located in position for engagement by the random operation mechanism. In the case of the element 33, this element is normally housed beneath the playing face 23 and is projected through a suitable aperture into projecting relation to the playing face in response to cngagement by the random operation mechanism. The elementis returned to its normal position by gravity. However, if desired, biasing means, such as a spring, could be employed.

The mechanism 31-for randomly positioning the element 33 into projecting relation tothe playing face inch des a movable member 53 which, as shown in the disclosed construction, takes the general form of a disc, and

which is mounted on the game board for randomly shifting movement in one plane and for movement out of this eter as compared to a lower part 59, thereby defining a shoulder on which the disc is supported in generally parallel relation to the playing face and in position to be engaged by the lower end of the stem of the peg prior to full insertion of the peg.

The disc 53' includes a central bore 61 which is larger than the diameter of the upper part 57 of the pivot stud, thereby permitting tilting of the disc out of the plane parallel to the playing face. However, the size of the central bore 61 is smaller than the diameter of the enlarged lower part 59 of the stud, thereby retaining the disc on the shoulder. If desired, the transition between the upper and lower pivot stud parts 57 and 59 can be of conical formation rather than include the shoulder as shown;

The disc 53. is constructed so as to randomly cause projection of the element 33 relative to theplaying face.

This action can be accomplished in several ways.- For instance,.the disc could incorporate one or more holes or slots, or the like, which are alignable with the associated opening in the playing face and which are of greater size than the associated opening. and one of the slots are aligned, the peg will not engage the disc, but will pass through the slot therein. On the other hand, if the slot and associated opening in the playing face are misaligned, the peg will engage the disc and cause tilting of the disc from its position in a plane gen-- erally perpendicular to the direction of peg insertion. Such tilting of the disc causes the disc to engage the adjacent end 49 of the element 33 so as to project at least a part of the element into projecting relation tothe playing face.

Alternately, the disc can be constructed sothat it will always be tilted incidentto insertion of a peg, but will not always engage the adjacent end of the movable element to cause projection of the element relative to the playing face. In this construction, the disc includes one or more slots which are alignable with the adjacent end of the member so that, when. the disc is tilted, the disc can pass the adjacent end of the element without causing movement thereof into projecting relation to the playing face. How-' ever, should the slot or. slots be misaligned with the adjacent end of the element, then the element will be projected relative to the playing face when the peg is inserted.

.In the disclosed construction, the disc 53 includes a series of radial slots 63 around its periphery and through any one of which both the stem 43 of the peg 27 and the adjacent end 49 of the element 33 are passable when in alignment therewith. Accordingly, the element will be projected relative to the playing face only when the disc Thus, when the opening.

is so located as to cause engagement by, and accompanying tilting of, the disc by. the insertion of a peg, and consequent engagement by the disc of the adjacent end 49 of the element 33. I I

- In normal operation of the game, there is generally sufficient shifting or shuffling of the game board to periodicallycause'isorne' random'rotative movement of the disc.

Also, the disc will generally spin somewhat incident to return from' the tilted position after withdrawal of a previously inserted peg from the associated hole. Accordingly, if desired, the disc can be constructed, as before explained-to cause tilting of the disc with every insertion of a peg into the associated opening, thereby tending to cause some rotative movement of the disc I incident to every insertion and Withdrawal of a peg. If desired, other-means, such as the use of a spring, can be employed in order to efifect random rotative movement of the disc. 7

As can be readily understood, the disclosed arrangement for randomly providing an action feature such as the projection of an element, including a door, a marker, a figure or, animal, or whatever, either from a concealed position'beneath the'playing face, or from a generally unobtrusive position, as in the case of the door, into projecting relation to the playing face of the game board, or the production-0f a sound effect, such as the ringing of a hell or the buzzing of a buzzer, heightens the attractiveness of any peg game incorporating such an arrangement. The chance element in the operation of the action feature adds suspense to the game and results in a different sequence of events in every game.

Various features oftheinventionare set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: I

1. An arrangement for randomly effecting a given activity, said arrangement comprising a support, an element movably mounted on said support for movement to and from a first position and asecond position, a stud on said support, and a member carried on said stud for pivotal movement therearound, said member also being tiltably displaceable on said stud relative to a position perpendicular to said stud and randomly engageably with said element to cause movement thereof from said first position to said second position incident to tiltablc displacement of said member.

2. An'arrangement for randomly effecting a given activity, said arrangement comprising a support, an element movably mounted on said support for movement between a first position and a second position, a stud extending from said support, and a member randomly rotatably mounted on said stud and displaceable along 'a predetermined path to a location engageable with a portion of said element so as to move said element from said first tivity said arrangement comprising a support, an element pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof on said support for movement between a first position and a second position, a stud extending from said support in perpendicularrelation-to the pivotal axis ofsaid element, and

a member mounted on said stud for random rotation and for tiltable displacement to a location engageable with one end of said element so as to pivot said element from said first position to said secondposition, said member avoid engagement of said element by said member when said member is tiltably displaced to said location, Whereby engagement of said element by said member to move said element from said first position to said second position, incident to tiltable displacement of said member to said location, occurs at random depending upon the position or" said openings with respect to said one end of said element.

4. An arrangement for randomly effecting a given activity, said arrangement comprising a support, a member movably mounted on said support, said member being randomly rotatable and displaceably in a direction along the axis of rotation from a first position to a second position, movable means guided by said support for movement toward said member to engageably displace said member from said first position to said second position, said member including means defining an opening therein which is spaced from the axis of rotation and which is alignable with the path of travel of said movable means so as to avoid engagement of said member by said movable means when said movable means is moved toward said member, and an element movably mounted on said support in position for engagement by said member incident to movement thereof to said second position so as to cause movement of said element from a first position to a second position, whereby movement of said element to said second position, incident to movement of said movable means toward said member, occurs at random depending upon the position of said opening with respect to said movable means.

5. An arrangement for randomly effecting a given ac tion and which are alignable with the path of travel of said movable means so as to avoid engagement of said member by said movable means incident to movement of said movable means toward said member, and an element pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof on said support for engagement of one end thereof by said member incident to movement of said element from a first position to a second position, whereby movement of said element to said second position, incident to movement or said movable means toward and into engagement with said member, occurs at random depending upon the position of said radial openings with respect to said movable means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,801,108 Peterson July 30, 1957 

1. AN ARRANGEMENT FOR RANDOMLY EFFECTING A GIVEN ACTIVITY, SAID ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING A SUPPORT, AN ELEMENT MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT TO AND FROM A FIRST POSITION AND A SECOND POSITION, A STUD ON SAID SUPPORT, AND A MEMBER CARRIED ON SAID STUD FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT THEREAROUND, SAID MEMBER ALSO BEING TILTABLY DISPLACEABLE ON SAID STUD RELATIVE TO A POSITION PERPENDICULAR TO SAID STUD AND RANDOMLY ENGAGEABLY WITH SAID ELEMENT TO CAUSE MOVEMENT THEREOF FROM SAID FIRST POSITION TO SAID SECOND POSITION INCIDENT TO TILTABLE DISPLACEMENT OF SAID MEMBER. 